Specs on baitcasting reels-Bearing types,Material used, what matters most?

[primetime]

Ok, I was hoping a few people could help me understand the main differences between casting reels. I know that the quality of bearings, type, and placement in reels matters more than count, and usually I simply buy name brand reels with good reviews and make sure they have Double Shielded bearings, and from there I like to look at reel weight etc. but I know that many of the inexpensive light weight reels are not machined as one piece in Aluminum or another quality material which causes internal parts to shift under heavy loads. 

I see so many new reels that have 11 double shielded Stainless Bearings, Carbon or graphite sideplates, brass gears, titanium line insert or some other coating better than Ceramic which I have had issues with using braid...What is most important. Abec 5 Bearings, One piece aluminum or metal frame even though it may be heavier..I notice almost every reel I saw at the BPS Classic was small and light, many companies now have reels that seem amazing as far as specs and weight for prices in the $50 Range?

I need to teach a friend how to use a baitcaster and he can't use my RH reels or I would just let him have a few of my older reels but he needs a lefty and is all about light weight and I am trying to steer him to the Pro Qualifier sale which today is the last day so I can get the Carbonlight rod, but he would rather have a Midas or Bionic blade since they are much lighter. They seem to have the same specs as all the other light reels on the market?

What matters most for a reel for heavy work with 1 ounce weights etc...I like a Silver Max but if I were to only have one reel I would not trust that as the only reel I had..Any help as to what matters most is appreciated..Sorry for the ramble, I didn't realize how many awesome looking reels were out there for under $50 at every retailer from every brand these days, how are they selling these new models so cheap? Thx

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You can't choose a quality reel by specs alone. The real determining factors are intangible like tolerances, QC and machining. Bearing count is meaningless. Good quality bearings in 3-4 key spots will make a better reel than one with cheap bearings added to handle knobs etc. for under $100 the PQ on sale is about as good as you'll get and easily up to the task of your application . 

[bigturtle]

1 hour ago, primetime said:

titanium line insert or some other coating better than Ceramic which I have had issues with using braid

Ceramic is preferred in most cases because titanium is softer and more likely to fail, but this depends on the type of ceramic.

1 hour ago, primetime said:

how are they selling these new models so cheap? Thx

Because they are made cheap, so they sell cheap.

1 hour ago, primetime said:

I like a Silver Max but if I were to only have one reel I would not trust that as the only reel I had.

I had a silvermax when they came out a few years ago, and used it for a year or so, and at the time it was a borderline "ok" reel. The little flipping switch broke within a a month or 2, which wasnt a problem because i never used that thing. The rest of the reel slowly became rough, noisy and grindy. I sent it for repair once, and repaired it myself once, and after that, i decided that the repair costs were not worth it and sold it for $10. If I were to use a $50 reel again, I think I would rather try a Daiwa Laguna baitcaster over any BPS brand. Other than that, I think I just wouldnt use a baitcaster at all, since the ones at that price point tend to not be up to my standards.

[primetime]

35 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You can't choose a quality reel by specs alone. The real determining factors are intangible like tolerances, QC and machining. Bearing count is meaningless. Good quality bearings in 3-4 key spots will make a better reel than one with cheap bearings added to handle knobs etc. for under $100 the PQ on sale is about as good as you'll get and easily up to the task of your application . 

That is what I say...I wish he would just pay for the Tatula which I think is easy to learn on and will last forever....I may just wait till after the sale and see what happens as Bass Pro is just more expensive than everyone else, I want my buddy to get into flipping since he loves fishing but spinning gear is hard to make work...Thanks

35 minutes ago, bigturtle said:

Ceramic is preferred in most cases because titanium is softer and more likely to fail, but this depends on the type of ceramic.

Because they are made cheap, so they sell cheap.

I had a silvermax when they came out a few years ago, and used it for a year or so, and at the time it was a borderline "ok" reel. The little flipping switch broke within a a month or 2, which wasnt a problem because i never used that thing. The rest of the reel slowly became rough, noisy and grindy. I sent it for repair once, and repaired it myself once, and after that, i decided that the repair costs were not worth it and sold it for $10. If I were to use a $50 reel again, I think I would rather try a Daiwa Laguna baitcaster over any BPS brand. Other than that, I think I just wouldnt use a baitcaster at all, since the ones at that price point tend to not be up to my standards.

Thanks I agree, My issue is that my buddy who I fish with lives on some awesome private lakes, and you need to be able to flip and punch to get big fish most days, and he only uses spinning tackle but finally is willing to learn..I tried to hand him an old Revo S with a RH Retrieve that I have had for about 6 years, works great, but he couldn't use RH...So for Lefty, I told him we have to buy one, and he is on a budget of $50...Makes things tough...I will have him look on the flea market for a used reel since Ebay scares me....I don't trust used reels from random people, and many times they have more than 1 to sell which makes me think they were from a Pawn shop or something..

I always thought Ceramic was not good since that is what seems to be in the inexpensive reels? Maybe I am getting it confused, I usually just buy good brand name reels with repuations on sale and take care of them....Lefty reels are tricky to find in stock for some reason around here as Gander Had a Kinetic from Quantum for $50 but out of stock...I thought that would  be good to learn with and "light enough"...what is a few ounces anyhow? I wanted to split the Carbonlight rod and PQ reel for $75 after trade in so I could have the rod for $40 and give him one of my other rods...thanks for the help...Much appreciated..BPS only seems to carry and push Browning and BPS brand, I like how browing feels but can't find anyone who has used one...

[bigturtle]

16 minutes ago, primetime said:

That is what I say...I wish he would just pay for the Tatula which I think is easy to learn on and will last forever....I may just wait till after the sale and see what happens as Bass Pro is just more expensive than everyone else, I want my buddy to get into flipping since he loves fishing but spinning gear is hard to make work...Thanks

Thanks I agree, My issue is that my buddy who I fish with lives on some awesome private lakes, and you need to be able to flip and punch to get big fish most days, and he only uses spinning tackle but finally is willing to learn..I tried to hand him an old Revo S with a RH Retrieve that I have had for about 6 years, works great, but he couldn't use RH...So for Lefty, I told him we have to buy one, and he is on a budget of $50...Makes things tough...I will have him look on the flea market for a used reel since Ebay scares me....I don't trust used reels from random people, and many times they have more than 1 to sell which makes me think they were from a Pawn shop or something..

I always thought Ceramic was not good since that is what seems to be in the inexpensive reels? Maybe I am getting it confused, I usually just buy good brand name reels with repuations on sale and take care of them....Lefty reels are tricky to find in stock for some reason around here as Gander Had a Kinetic from Quantum for $50 but out of stock...I thought that would  be good to learn with and "light enough"...what is a few ounces anyhow? I wanted to split the Carbonlight rod and PQ reel for $75 after trade in so I could have the rod for $40 and give him one of my other rods...thanks for the help...Much appreciated..BPS only seems to carry and push Browning and BPS brand, I like how browing feels but can't find anyone who has used one...

"Ceramic" is a very generalized term, and covers a very wide range of materials. Other than Daiwa's TWS reels, which are coated with either titanium (Japanese model) or some other metal (US model), im pretty sure all other high end reels use some form of ceramic in their line guide. This is true for high end rods as well. Other than recoil guides, all other guides are made with some light weight frame (titanium, carbon fiber, etc) and ceramic insert.

for only $50, your best bet is a used reel.